We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Luis Venegas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Luis , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

At 8 years of age, I started drawing and making stories in my journals and sketchbooks. My parents are from Mexico, they had my sister and I here in Los Ángeles. They worked 2-3 jobs and we rarely saw them. After school, my sister and I would get home and close the windows, lock the doors to make sure strangers / neighbors didn’t see us. We would do our homework and then I would go to the living room while my sister was in her room. I’d draw, listen to music, and sometimes pause a scene from a vhs movie on tv, to then draw it on paper. I started winning a lot of art awards at school. 2nd and 3rd grade, 6th grade, middle school etc. I then lost interest in drawing in my high school years. There was a lot of distractions, drama at home, confusion with my future, partying and drinking with friends as an escape. Soon, alcohol became my focus. Losing myself in it and forgetting what I did the night before was something I looked forward to and felt bad about. At 22 I did a personal and professional development program that inspired me to learn why I do the things I do. My habits, putting my past in the past, creating a future I love. At 25 I started picking up pens and paint, creating art from scratch after abandoning it for years. Now I create art weekly, where it at art festivals, night markets, shows, and online. I’m humbled and grateful for these experiences as they have made me who I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into the art world by asking a lot of questions, knocking on a lot of doors. Being rejected. Always wanted a mentor to show me the ropes and decided I should become one instead of searching for one. It was a very cold start. I went to many art galleries, reached out to other artists, didn’t get much help. At 24 I put together a collaborative art show at a bar. Invited many artists to show their work. It was a community project I put together, highlighting artists and their work. I got some exposure here, spoke to artists of all walks in life. They gave me advice and confidence. For the first time in a very long time, I felt support from the art community. . I then started to ask my followers online (Instagram and Facebook) where can I show / sell my artwork? Many responded with LA artwalk, art shows, and night markets. I took action and created a schedule that worked for my 9-5 job and made time to practice art a few hours a week / daily.

Pointillism Art style is what was born from bouncing ideas around what I can draw. I sold 2 pieces 3 weeks after creating the art. Sold them at $500 each. That was my first $1k art sale. I thought I can DEFINITELY do this. My discipline consisted of having fun. The context MUST be fun. If it isn’t fun, I won’t do it. It must feel like a game. Scheduling a few days out of the week to do absolutely nothing was crucial. This is where inspiration began to arise. In the nothingness. In the emptiness. In the quiet. In nature. Ideas began to brew on these days where I did nothing.

I provide an experience. In art workshops, there is a guided meditation I lead before we create. Releasing any stress, trauma, burdens, hate, guilt, shame, and we transfer that into the painting. This way it becomes one with us. Embracing the pain instead of avoiding it. My services also include art prints / original artwork I show and sell at art shows, festivals, and night markets. I’m in these a few times a month through out the whole year. I do commissions, and the newest addition is murals. I’m in the process of creating two next month (9/2023).

What sets me apart from others is the flow like water and versatility my art provides. I have no attachment to the art. It means whatever it means to you, the observer. And Yes of course each piece has a story, and I rarely share it unless asked. My purpose is to transform the world through art. We are all artists, meant to create in all forms. Through cooking, fashion, film, writing, editing, music, producing, singing, speaking, medicine, fitness, storytelling, painting, drawing, building, engineering, sculpting, gardening, farming, and so on.

I’m most proud of my younger self surviving and accepting my past. Where I came from, and who I was during that time. It’s given me permission to be whoever I want today. Realizing life is a game and all I want to do is play.

I want everyone who knows my brand to know that you’re really great at something that I am not great at. You have a skill, a talent, a discipline that no one else will have. Exercise that. Practice it, develop that potential. Don’t hide it, the world deserves to see it. You’re worthy, valued, and capable of becoming whatever you want to be. And that does not mean a fixed way. We can change our career, passion, direction at any age, time, and space in our lives. Acknowledge the system we’re all in, and keep creating your own path. It’s liberating.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I grew up with MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook in high school. At age 23 I was turned off by social media in general and how it makes us very dull and empty.

Then I saw the potential I could have if I’m able to make connections online, the same way I do in person at events, networking programs, social gatherings, and partying. I built my social media treating it like a publicist channel. I like learning and hearing from my favorite artists / musicians, so I thought maybe I can do the same with my art. There are two days a week (for an hour or two) I coordinate my content. What do I want people to take away from what I’m sharing? Is what I’m sharing valuable? Did they gain insight, education, helpful information? What kind of deal are they getting? Is it contributing to their lifestyle? Is it wasteful? These are great questions to ask when you’re about to share something online. Helps get transparent and to the core of WHY we’re posting instead of “just posting”. Relieves us from the artificial part of being online.

Taking a speaking class or program that elevates your presence in person will automatically elevate you online as well. Specially when it comes to recording ourselves and uploading a story. I try to do LIVES on Instagram and Facebook 3-4 times a month to get myself vulnerable. After awhile it becomes second nature to just be who you are truly online.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Landmark worldwide is transformative learning program. This learning contributes a lot to all artists from actors to painters. All walks of life.

“The Artist’s Way” is also a wonderful book to learn from. Very easy read and a lot of tools to add to your journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: Currently down
• Instagram: luisvenegasart
• Facebook: luisvenegasart
• Twitter: luisvenegasart
• Tiktok: luisvenegasart
• Threads: luisvenegasart
• Snapchat: LVA

Image Credits
All taken by me, my cameras.